8/4. Mary Jo Graves was named Chief Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal
Law Division of the state of California's Department of Justice. She replaces Robert
Anderson, who was named Chief Deputy Attorney General for Legal Affairs. Anderson
replaces Richard Frank, who will take a position as head of the California
Center for Environmental Law and Policy at UC Berkeley's
Boalt Hall School of
Law. See, release.

More News

8/4. The American
Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) will relocate its offices on
Friday, August 11. Effective August 12, its new address will be 241 18th
Street, South Suite 700, Arlington, VA, 22202. Its main telephone number will
remain 703-715-0780.

8/4. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
published a
notice in the Federal Register that announces, recites, describes, and sets
the effective date (August 4, 2006) for, its final rule that revises the rules
of practice relating to the filing date requirements for ex parte and inter
partes reexamination proceedings for consistency with the provisions of the
patent statute governing ex parte and inter partes reexamination proceedings,
and to permit the USPTO to have the full statutory three months to address a
request for reexamination that is complete. See, Federal Register, August 4,
2006, Vol. 71, No. 150, at Pages 44219-44223.

8/3. The Center for Democracy &
Technology (CDT) held a news briefing on the Senate Appropriations
Committee's (SCC) web site labeling mandate in
HR 5672
(an appropriations bill),
HR 5319,
the "Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006", and other topics.

It argued that these bills threaten freedom of speech online. The speakers
were Leslie Harris and John Morris of the CDT.

Harris said that "we have enjoyed about ten good years since the Supreme
Court struck down the Communications Decency Act" in 1996 in a 9-0 opinion.
However, "we see a growing threat to online free speech".

Harris and Morris stated that in addition to the two pending Congressional
bills, there is the long running litigation over the Constitutionality of the
COPA, the "Child Online Protection Act". They noted that the Supreme
Court's most recent opinion was merely a 5-4 opinion, and two new Justices have
been appointed since.

They also stated that there are threats to online speech in various pending
state legislative proposals. They named Utah House Bill 260.

They also stated that the convergence of media now places threats on online
free speech. They argued that as media converge, the different standards that
govern different media platforms will collide. Harris argued that broadcast
should end up eventually under the internet free speech standard. And, the CDT
may get involved in broadcast indecency matters. The CDT does not want
to see the internet end up under the FCC's current broadcast indecency standard.

Harris added that "this is the silly season", when legislators push bills for
the purpose of election campaigning.

Mandatory Web Site Labeling. Morris argued that the mandatory labeling
bill is both bad policy and unconstitutional. He said that the definition of
sexually explicit material is extraordinarily broad, and would affect some PG-13
movies and textual material. He said that it also constitutes compelled speech.

He also argued that this is "a fairly clunky and overbroad" government
mandate that will "interfere with voluntary labeling schemes that are already
underway".

He argued that the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) rating
of movies is voluntary, and that if the government were to mandate such a
scheme, it would probably be held unconstitutional.

Harris also argued that the government is making inconsistent arguments. The
mandatory labeling bill is based on the assumption that the warning labels will
enable filters to block access to content. It rests upon the assumption that
filtering works. However, in the COPA litigation, the DOJ is arguing that the
requirements contained in the COPA are necessary because filtering does not work.

DOPA. Morris and Harris argued that the DOPA is also unconstitutional. They said
that while it has some similarities to the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which
has been upheld, it has several Constitutionally significant differences.

For example, the CIPA only regulates access to speech that is appropriate to
block -- obscenity, CP, and material that is harmful to minors. In contrast,
most of what is on social networking sites and in chat rooms is legal.

Also, the CIPA does not regulate speakers. It only blocks certain person's
access to certain speech. In contrast, the DOPA not only blocks access to speech,
but also regulates speakers. Students in school, and library users, will be
prevented from engaging in speech.

They also argued that the bill is bad policy because it would exacerbate the
digital divide. That is, rich kids with broadband access at home would not be
affected in their home use of social networking sites, while students whose only
access is at school or in libraries would not be able to participate in any
social networking sites or chat rooms.

Other groups have also recently expressed views on HR 5319. For example, William
Archey, head of the American Electronics
Association (AeA), sent a letter on August 2, 2006, to
Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) and others
regarding HR 5319, the DOPA.

He wrote that the "AeA is concerned that H.R. 5319 takes the wrong approach
to safeguarding the Internet for our children by restricting minors’ use of
certain Web sites in libraries and schools that receive e-rate funds. The bill
would ultimately cause the blocking of any 'social networking' or 'chat' sites,
whether they contained inappropriate material or not. These same technologies
that are being targeted are changing and influencing the Web in new and exciting
and perfectly legitimate ways. AeA believes that a more productive way to
address this issue would be to further educate consumers on how to use these
beneficial sites in a safe and appropriate way. Just as parents teach their
kids how to stay safe in public parks, the same approach should be taken within
the online environment."

It wrote that the "DOPA would restrict access to technology in the communities that
need public access most. H.R. 5319 still, as presently drafted, would require libraries
and schools receiving E-rate discounts through the Universal Service Program to block
computer users from accessing Interactive Web applications of all kinds, thereby
limiting opportunities for those who do not have Internet access at home. This
unfairly denies the students and library users in schools and libraries in the
poorest communities from accessing appropriate content and from learning how
best to safely manage their own Internet access in consultation with librarians
and teachers." This letter is also in the Congressional Record, July 26, 2006,
at Pages H5885-6. See also, ALA
release.

8/3. The Senate ratified by unanimous consent without amendment
Treaty 108-11,
which is titled "Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime". This convention
requires the nations that are parties to it to enact laws criminalizing certain activity
in the nature of computer hacking, and other cyber crimes.

However, the convention also requires the parties to enact numerous laws related to
criminal procedure, search and seizure, electronic intercepts, and data retention, that
will broadly increase governmental powers.

Also, the use of these powers is not limited to investigation and prosecution in cyber
crime cases. The procedural provisions apply not only to cyber crime matters, but also to
any "criminal offences committed by means of a computer system", and to the
"collection of evidence in electronic form of a criminal offence".

Two other characteristics of the convention are that it requires mutual assistance, and
has no dual criminality provision. Thus, the U.S. is obligated to compel search and seizure,
data retention, and intercept assistance from U.S. service providers, in order to surveil
a person in the U.S., at the demand of a foreign government, when the person's activity
is a crime in that foreign country, but legal conduct in the U.S.

8/3. President Bush signed and released a
notice
titled "Continuation of Emergency Regarding Export Control Regulations". He
issues a similar notice every year at about this time to maintain in effect the
export regulations of the Bureau of Industry
and Security (BIS).

There was once a statute titled the Export Administration Act. It expired in
2001. Some members of the House and Senate worked on enacting replacement
legislation several years ago. However, no replacement bill was enacted, and
there is little legislative activity now on this subject.

Meanwhile, the BIS, which was formerly named the Bureau of Export
Administration (BXA), continues to revise and enforce implementing regulations.
These regulations pertain to, among other things, exports and "deemed exports"
of dual use items, such as computers, software, and encryption products. These
regulations also regulate employment in some situations.

The just released notice states that "On August 17, 2001, consistent with the
authority provided me under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 170l et seq.), I issued Executive Order 13222. In that order, I declared
a national emergency with respect to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the
national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States in light of
the expiration of the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (50 U.S.C.
App. 2401 et seq.). Because the Export Administration Act has not been renewed
by the Congress, the national emergency declared on August 17, 2001, must
continue in effect beyond August 17, 2006. Therefore, in accordance with section
202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for
1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13222."

See also, President Bush's
letter
to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate.

FCC Adopts MOO Regarding BPL Systems

8/3. The Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) adopted, but did not release, a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MOO) that
responds to petitions for reconsideration of the rules applicable to broadband
over power line (BPL) systems.

The FCC released only a short
release
[PDF] describing this MOO. Also, four of the FCC's Commissioners wrote statements.

The FCC promulgated its original BPL rules in its
Report and Order [86 pages in PDF] adopted on October 14, 2004, and released
on October 28, 2004. That R&O is FCC 04-245 in ET Docket No. 04-37 and ET Docket
No. 03-104. See also, story titled "FCC Adopts BPL Report and Order" in
TLJ Daily E-Mail
Alert No. 997, October 15, 2004, and story titled "FCC Adopts Broadband Over
Powerline NPRM" in
TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 836, February 13, 2004. The FCC released the
text
[38 pages in PDF] of the NPRM on February 23, 2004.

The FCC release states that this MOO "Affirms its rules regarding emission limits
for BPL, including its determination that the reduction of emissions to 20 dB below the
normal Part 15 emissions limits will constitute adequate interference protection for
mobile operations", "Denies the request by the amateur radio community to
prohibit BPL operations pending further study and to exclude BPL from frequencies used for
amateur radio operations", and "Denies the request by the television industry
to exclude BPL from frequencies above 50 MHz".

The FCC release adds, however, that this MOO
"Adopts changes regarding protection of radio astronomy stations by requiring a
new exclusion zone and amending consultation requirements for these stations"
and "Adopts changes to provide for continuing protection for aeronautical
stations that are relocated."

The FCC release also states that this MOO "Denies the request by
the aeronautical industry to exclude BPL operating on low-voltage lines from
frequencies reserved for certain aeronautical operations".

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin wrote
in his
statement [PDF] that "we build upon our previous efforts to facilitate deployment
of broadband over power line (BPL) systems while protecting existing spectrum users from
harmful interference. It is my hope that our rules will allow BPL systems to flourish.
This technology holds great promise as a ubiquitous broadband solution that would offer
a viable alternative to cable, digital subscriber line, fiber, and wireless broadband
solutions. Moreover, BPL has unique advantages for home networking because consumers can
simply plug a device into their existing electrical outlets to achieve broadband
connectivity."

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps
wrote in his
statement [PDF] that "We all have high hopes for Broadband over Power Line
and I think we would all like to see some non-duopoly pipes bringing broadband
access to, particularly, hard-to-reach Americans."

The just adopted MOO is FCC 06-113 in ET Docket Nos. 04-37 and 03-104.

FCC Concludes 700 MHz Band Licensees Are
Subject to 911/E911 Rules

8/3. The Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) adopted, but did not release, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
regarding changes to its rules governing wireless licenses in the
698-746, 747-762, and 777-792 MHz Bands. This item also contains a tentative
conclusion that wireless services licensed in this 700 MHz band, including
broadband internet access services, as well as other wireless services covered
by Part 27 of the FCC's rules, are subject to 911/E911 regulation.

The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005
established a hard deadline of February 17, 2009, for the cessation of analog
broadcasting in the 700 MHz band. It also established a deadline of January 28,
2008, for the FCC to begin the auction for the licenses associated with the
recovered analog spectrum.

This NPRM proposes service rules for the 700 MHz commercial band. See,
full story.

8/3. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
introduced S 3800,
the "Stop Assistance to Counterfeiters Act", a bill that would condition foreign
assistance on certification that the recipient will not use the assistance to
traffic in goods or services that contain counterfeit trademarks.

Sen. Hagel (at left) stated in a
release that "It is outrageous that U.S. foreign assistance are being
provided to individuals or organizations that engage in counterfeiting
practices. This common sense bill will help U.S. companies, like Gallup, compete
fairly to provide goods and services abroad". Gallup USA is based in Nebraska.

This bill is similar, but not identical, to
HR 5249,
introduced by Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) on April 27,
2006.

S 3800 would amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide that
"assistance may not be provided to a person seeking United States assistance for
a fiscal year until such person submits to the President a certification" that
"such assistance will not be used to intentionally traffic in goods or services
that contain counterfeit marks", that "such assistance will not be used by any
person that has had an administrative or judicial determination issued against the person
for infringement, counterfeiting, or piracy of intellectual property in the United States
or a foreign country", and that "any material or product, including a material
or product in electronic form, that was developed, in whole or in part, using such
assistance will not be imported into the United States" in violation of
18 U.S.C. § 2320 (regarding trafficking in counterfeit goods or services) or
19 U.S.C. § 1526(a).

HR 5249 is limited in scope to "Assistance to a nongovernmental organization".
S 3800 elaborates that the "certification requirement ... shall not be applied to
assistance provided under this Act or any other Act directly to the government of a foreign
country or an entity of such government or to an international organization that is an
association of representatives of national governments, including the United Nations."
It further provides that a "person seeking United States assistance" means
"a person, including an international or domestic organization that is not an
association of national governments ..."

8/3. President Bush announced his intent to nominate John Veroneau to be Deputy U.S.
Trade Representative. He is currently a partner in the law firm of
DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary. He was previously
General Counsel in the Office of the USTR. He has also
worked for former Sen. Bill Cohen (R-ME), former Secretary of Defense Cohen, Sen. Susan
Collins (R-ME), and Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN). See, White House
release.

8/3. President Bush announced
his intent to nominate Cynthia Glassman (at right) to be Undersecretary of Commerce
for Economic Affairs. She was until recently a Commissioner of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). She has also
worked at Ernst and Young and the Federal Reserve System. See, White House
release.

8/3. John Grant will join the staff of the
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which is chaired
by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). He is
currently FCC Commissioner Deborah Tate's Special Advisor for Policy. See, FCC
release.

8/3. Chris Robbins was "detailed" to the office of FCC Commission
Deborah Tate to handle media issues.
He is currently an Attorney Advisor in the FCC's Media
Bureau's (MB) Audio Division. He was previously an attorney in the media practice group
at the law firm of Wiley Rein & Fielding. See, FCC
release.

8/3. The Senate confirmed Troy Eid to be the U.S. Attorney for the
District of Colorado for the term of four years.

8/3. The Senate confirmed Alexander Acosta to be the U.S. Attorney for
the Southern District of Florida fo the term of four years.

8/3. The Senate confirmed Karl Hess, Thomas Taylor, Richard
Thompson, Mark Abbott, John Bruer, Patricia Galloway,
and Jose-Marie Griffiths to be members of the National Science Board,
National Science Foundation. Hess was confirmed for a term that ends on May 10,
2008. The others' terms expire on May 10, 2012.

More News

8/3. The Senate Judiciary Committee
held an executive business meeting. It once again did not take up many items
on its agenda, including consideration of
S 2453, the
"National Security Surveillance Act of 2006",
S 2455, the
"Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006",
S 2468,
a bill to provide standing for civil actions for declaratory and injunctive relief to
persons who refrain from electronic communications through fear of being subject to
warrantless electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes,
S 3001,
the "Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Improvement and Enhancement Act of
2006",
S 2831, the
"Free Flow of Information Act of 2006", and
S 1845, the
"Circuit Court of Appeals Restructuring and Modernization Act of 2005".

Chris Cox (at left), Chairman of the SEC, stated in a
release that "As
our markets grow more sophisticated, so must the relationships among regulators.
The work plan demonstrates the intention of the SEC and CESR to have a
forward-looking dialogue on key emerging issues, as well as take practical steps
to encourage high-quality and consistent application of IFRS. The result will be
greater protection and better disclosure for investors, particularly as they
seek investment opportunities across the Atlantic."

Fabrice Demarigny, Secretary General of CESR, stated in this same release that
"This work plan creates a constructive and practical cooperation framework
between the EU and US securities supervisors in the enforcement of financial
reporting. I believe it will significantly contribute towards decisions on the
use of IFRS in the US and US GAAP in Europe."

The plan states that one of its goals is "Evaluation and identification of
Information Technology (IT) solutions for disclosure and electronic storage of corporate
information (including financial information)." (Parentheses in original.)

It states that the SEC and CESR "will exchange views on policies favoring the
use of technology and IT networks in disclosure/storage of financial
information, including the use of interactive data."

The plan then identifies four areas of discussion.

"Information sharing regarding current IT developments: In the 2nd half of 2006 and
continuing as appropriate, the SEC staff and the
relevant CESR expert groups will schedule additional videoconferences in which
the relevant experts will update each other on regulatory developments in
relation to IT projects related to electronic disclosure/storage of financial
information."

"Use of interactive data software: In the 2nd half of 2006 and
quarterly thereafter, SEC staff and the relevant CESR expert group will meet via
videoconference to exchange views and, where relevant, compare experiences with
interactive data software, and potentially to coordinate feedback to those
responsible for writing interactive data taxonomies and to software developers."

"Joint incentives to issuers to use interactive data software: In
the 2nd half of 2006 and quarterly thereafter,
SEC staff and the relevant CESR expert group will explore the possibility of
developing common incentives to offer to issuers that voluntarily file reports
using interactive data."

"Future possible discussion: Once fundamental strategic choices
have been made in the US and in the EU on general architectures for storage of
corporate information, one topic of future discussion will be possible forms of
linkages between the SEC’s EDGAR and European storage mechanisms."

Wallison argued that the SEC's efforts to incorporate XBRL for Generally Accepted
Accounting Procedures (GAAP) into the SEC's financial reporting process is a
good thing. The problem, wrote Wallison, is that the EU is moving more quickly
to develop XBRL for their competing International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS). He stated that "in the globalized capital market of today, capital will
flow to the companies whose financial statements are most easily analyzed and
understood, giving the companies that state their financials in IFRS an
important competitive advantage over those that use US-GAAP".

Chairman Cox and other SEC Commissioners have frequently spoken about the
XBRL program. See for example,
speech of November
7, 2005, in Tokyo, Japan, and
speech of November
11, 2005, in Boca Raton, Florida. See also, story titled "SEC Chairman Cox
Discusses Use of Interactive Data in Corporate Reporting" in
TLJ Daily E-Mail
Alert No. 1,250, November 9, 2005.

FTC Holds That Rambus Unlawfully Monopolized
Markets

8/2. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released its
opinion
[120 pages in PDF] in its administrative proceeding titled "In the Matter of
Rambus, Inc.". It concludes that Rambus
unlawfully monopolized the markets for four computer memory technologies that have been
incorporated into industry standards for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips.

The FTC also issued an
order [2
pages in PDF] on August 2, 2006, titled "Order Reversing and Vacating Initial
Decision and Accompanying Supplemental Briefing on Issues of Remedy, and Denying
Complaint Counsel's Motion for Sanctions".

See also, FTC Docket
No. 9302 for hyperlinks to pleadings in this proceeding.

8/2. Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) and eleven other
Republican Senators introduced
S 3774,
an untitled bill that would amend Title 18 to prohibit the unauthorized
disclosure of classified information.

It provides, in part, that "Whoever, being an officer or employee of the
United States, a former or retired officer or employee of the United States, any
other person with authorized access to classified information, or any other
person formerly with authorized access to classified information, knowingly and
willfully discloses, or attempts to disclose, any classified information to a
person (other than an officer or employee of the United States with authorized
access to classified information) who is not authorized access to such
classified information, knowing that the person is not authorized access to such
classified information, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more
than 3 years, or both." (Parentheses in original.)

Sen. Bond stated in the Senate that "Over the past year, there has arisen an
apparent absence of fear of punishment in regard to arbitrary divulging of
classified information. These are individuals who took solemn vows to protect
our Nation. In taking a vow to protect classified information, one should
acknowledge that being privy to it establishes a solemn trust."

Sen. Bond did not identify any leaks with specificity. However, he made vague
reference to the disclosures of the National
Security Agency (NSA) programs involving electronic surveillance and
databasing of telephone call records.

He added that "Time and time again, we have witnessed leaks that told our
enemies not only that we were watching them and listening to them but how and
whom we are cooperating with and how we are getting the information."

He noted that this bill "only affects Government employees and contractors
who have signed a nondisclosure agreement. It doesn't affect the media,
businesses, or private citizens."

8/2. President Bush nominated Lawrence O'Neill to be a Judge of the U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District of California. See, White House
release.

More News

8/2. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
deleted one item for the agenda for its August 3 meeting that it released on July 27. It
announced that it will not consider adoption of a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MOO)
concerning the regulatory classification of broadband over power line (BPL) internet access
service. On December 23, 2005, the United Power
Line Council (UPLC) filed a
Petition for Declaratory Ruling [16 pages in PDF] with the FCC requesting
that the FCC "declare that BPL-enabled Internet access service is an interstate
information service, consistent with the Cable Modem Declaratory Ruling
and the DSL Order." This proceeding is WC Docket No. 06-10. See, FCC
release
[PDF].

Paulson Advocates Free Trade

8/1. Henry Paulson, the new Secretary of the Treasury, gave a
speech at the
Columbia Business School in New York City. He said that the U.S. economy is
strong, but faces several challenges in the long run, including the pursuit of
freer trade, control over spending on entitlement programs, energy security, and
more even income distribution.

Paulson (at right) said that "We also
need to expand opportunities for American workers and businesses to compete in the global
economy. The goods we export -- from corn to computers -- create high-paying jobs for
millions of Americans. And foreign investments in our country are responsible for more
than five million U.S. jobs. Simply put, we need to continue working to open markets
abroad, and to keep our own markets open."

He said that "As Treasury Secretary I will be a strong advocate for free trade and
will encourage other countries to open their markets to American goods, services, and
capital. When I travel to Asia early this fall trade will be a top agenda item.
The world is a competitive place. And if we are to retain our competitive
advantage, we need to welcome competition, and not run away from it."

He continued that "I am very concerned about the anti-trade rhetoric I hear coming
from some quarters here and around the world. I have spent my career advising clients on
international matters, working in U.S. and foreign capital markets, and investing in
countries around the globe -- ranging from developing countries like China, to
highly-developed economies, such as those in Japan and Germany. If this experience has
taught me anything it is that nations that reform their economies, and open themselves to
trade and competition, benefit their own citizens greatly."

He said that "there is a disturbing wave of protectionism", and that some
"countries are increasingly viewing market access as something that should apply to
someone else's home market and not their own."

Regarding the suspended Doha round of global trade
negotiations, he said that "we will continue to try to find a way to move
forward with the global negotiations". He added that "we will continue to press
for liberalization through important regional and bilateral agreements".

8/1. The Government Accountability Office
(GAO) released a
report [198 pages in PDF]
titled "Financial Restatements: Update of Public Company Trends, Market Impacts,
and Regulatory Enforcement Activities".

The report finds that "While the number of public companies
announcing financial restatements from 2002 through September 2005 rose from 3.7
percent to 6.8 percent, restatement announcements identified grew about 67
percent over this period."

It concludes that "A variety of factors appear to have contributed to the increased
trend in restatements, including increased accountability requirements on the
part of company executives; increased focus on ensuring internal controls for
financial reporting; increased auditor and regulatory scrutiny (including
clarifying guidance); and a general unwillingness on the part of public companies to
risk failing to restate, regardless of the significance of the event."

It adds that "Given the new regulatory and oversight structure, and the current
operating environment, it is unclear if and when the current trend toward
increasing restatements will subside. The number of restatements may continue to
increase in the immediate future, as new areas of scrutiny (for example, small
public company implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act internal control
requirements and hedge accounting rules), by SEC and others, may trigger future
restatements similar to the trends experienced after the focus on accounting for
leases or income taxes in early 2005. Currently, approximately 60 percent of
public companies -- generally smaller public companies -- have yet to fully implement
the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which could also
impact the number of restatements. In recent years, the larger public companies’
implementation of Section 404 requirements resulted in many companies announcing
financial restatements. Alternatively, the number of restatement announcements
could subside after the regulatory and firm changes called for in the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act have been fully implemented and allowed to play through."

The report includes a chronological listing of financial restatement announcements
from July 1, 2002 through September 30, 2005.

More News

8/1. The Progress and Freedom Foundation (PFF)
released a short
paper titled "Saving Online Free Speech: A Voluntary Code of Conduct for
Internet Operators". The author is Adam Thierer.

8/1. The National Institute of Standards and
Technology's (NIST) Computer Security Division released
a
draft [ZIP] of Special Publication (SP) 800-69, titled "Guidance for Securing
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition: A NIST Security Configuration Checklist. See also,
summary. This document
provides guidance to telecommuting employees and those who maintain home offices and use
Windows XP Home Edition. The deadline to submit comments is August 31, 2006.